Crossword Genius

Fades audibly, like colours (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dyes

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'colours' is the definition.
(dyeing is a kind of colouring)

'fades audibly like' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'like' could be 'y' (similar in meaning) and 'y' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'des' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for dyes that I've seen before include "Colour" , "turns green, possibly" , "Colouring materials" , "Stains" , "Many a pigment" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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